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Exterior lightingPart report

2002 Chevrolet Impala Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
123about this part
Share
15%of 795 total for the year
Median mileage
77,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 123 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala, 15% of the 795 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“This particular issue occurs at random times and conditions. As I'm traveling at night and I pull back the dimmer switch lever, the headlights will go out and leave me totally in the dark. The only way that I can get the headlights to come on again is to continue to manipulate the dimmer/turn signal lever until the lights come back on.”

NHTSA complaint #10695393, filed 2015-03, 152,653 miles

“I bought this car 4 years ago and I did not have problems till this happened, the car don't want to star in several times, im already pissed off and I don't really know what to do with it, cuz I know that nobody is going to buy it like that; I like the car but this is inoperable!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10428890, filed 2011-10, 130,000 miles

“When driving at night and using the high beams, they go out after awhile. Nearly crashed until I could slow down enough to safely stop! By moving high/low beam lever, I was able to get headlights to come back on in the low beam position. In checking NHTSA web site, found this is a problem general motors is aware of but expects owners to pay for repair of poorly designed part.”

NHTSA complaint #10247208, filed 2008-10, 77,000 miles

“My turn signals work intermittently. Sometimes not at all and sometimes have to activate flashers on and off. Sometimes lites won't turn all the way off when I park they will make a chiming sound and I will turn them on and off til it stops.”

NHTSA complaint #10473260, filed 2012-09, 100,000 miles

“We were driving home at night and the headlights on our 2002 chevy Impala went out and didn't come back on. We didn't realize it at the time, because we were driving in town and there were street lights. This was the 3rd occurrence. Nothing has been done to correct this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10293623, filed 2009-11, 100,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202017%
201914%
201847%
201765%
201676%
2015227%
2014447%
201352%
201283%
201151%
201061%
200991%
200840%
2007152%
2006112%
2005498%
200410410%
200310315%
200212315%
20017310%
2000678%
199611%
199512%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Impala

Electrical system
305 complaints
Engine cooling
106 complaints
Engine
75 complaints
Brakes
74 complaints
Steering
57 complaints
Air bags
47 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
36 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Other or unknown
34 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaints
Equipment
21 complaints
Electronic stability control
17 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Impala

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology